Flintshire, Lyme Cottage and Ivy Cottage

Last month, my partner and I stayed in Ivy Cottage, Flintshire (which sleeps two). Next door (just far enough away!) my parents and brother stayed in Lyme Cottage (which sleeps 4).

Both cottages had a marvellous open-plan living area, which had everything you needed and looked brand new. The kitchen was filled with stylish crockery and cutlery, high quality cookware and the odd Lakeland find! The owners truly had thought of everything - a far cry from many of the damp, dark, poorly equipped holiday cottages I've stayed in recently.

Outside the cottages was a flourishing garden - the friendly owner is a professional landscape gardener and it really shows. Beyond the garden and patio area, were views of their acres of landscaped gardens (which I am told they are making many improvements to, including a meadow with paths running through it leading to a decked BBQ and seating area). I fully intend to come back once that is finished. More access onto the landscaped gardens would be wonderful, especially for children. The gates into it are marked 'private' but when we asked the owners, there was no problem with us walking in their grounds. Also, access into the World War Two pill box would be fun for the children to play in - when we stayed it was quite overgrown. For images of the property, see http://greenfields.cottages.googlepages.com